Cover Image: The Last Real Cowboy

The Last Real Cowboy

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is a great addition to the Cold River Ranch series but can definitely be enjoyed as a stand alone book. This is a small town romance between Brady, who is trying to adjust to life after his father's death and Amanda, who is trying to find her place in the world while dealing with the people of the town forgetting she is no longer a 12 year old girl. Brady has been asked to watch out for Amanda by her brother Riley. While he's trying to watch out for her he quickly realizes she's not the innocent girl that he just thought of as his best friend's little sister, she's now a grown women that tempts him in so many ways. Amanda has always had a crush on Brady and tries her best to convince him that her being 10 years younger is no big deal. The characters are highly developed and their story is an emotional rollercoaster. I recommend this book especially if you're looking for a good quick romantic book.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this in in exchange for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

We are back at Cold Water Creek with the Everett brothers. This story shows how one person with so much love in her can change not only the person she loves but a whole family. I cried and laughed and became quite wrapped up in this book.

Was this review helpful?

The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is the last of three books revolving around the Everett brothers: Gray, Ty, and Brady. I love these books. They are all about complicated, real, people including this latest that is Brady. Brady went to college and got away from the ranch and his father. He became a successful investor/investment advisor but he came home for his father's funeral, mostly to make sure the old man was really dead. He had spent Brady's entire life demeaning and ignoring him and even now that he was dead Brady couldn't escape him. A few weeks later he was there for Gray's wedding, and then Christmas. At Christmas, things were different. Gray was content; the house was friendly and warm, his niece was relaxed. When Gray challenged both he and his brother to come home and work the ranch for a year before even considering selling it, Brady agreed. Fixing fences all day agreed with him. But his father still haunted him. One night he noticed Amanda Kittredge behind the bar at his favorite dive bar, but it was not the Amanda he knew, the one he had known since the day she was born. She had on tight jeans and she was wearing makeup. He didn't dare stare because her brothers were there and they would kill him (or any other guy who stared). Amanda like that he was staring. She had had a crush on him for years and he still though she was 16 (she was 22). It was about time he noticed her.

Amanda and Brady's relationship was complicated, mostly because of Brady. He had lots of reasons why it was a bad idea, but deep down he was worried about being like his father who had been a drunken abuser. Amanda kept after it, though, and things started to turn around. She encouraged him to share his ideas for the ranch with Gray and Ty. She listened to him. She excited him. He wanted her. He tried to let her down easy but he got caught, and he brother Riley hit him. Still she didn't stop. She was a force. Romances are all about the journey and about the people. These characters will pull you right into their stories, making you feel their trauma, making you hope their hopes, dream their dreams. Crews does a fabulous job with building characters. That alone makes this book a gem. I recommend it.

I received a free ARC of The Last Real Cowboy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thelastrealcowboy

Was this review helpful?

‘The Last Real Cowboy’ is the third book in the Cold River Ranch series and I’ve been looking forward to reading this one. Not only because I’m just a big fan of cowboy’s, country life and romance.. but also because this is the story of Brady, the youngest Everett brother. And after reading the first two books about the other brothers, I simple couldn’t wait to read this one too.

In ‘The Last Real Cowboy’ we finally get to read the story of Brady. Brady is the youngest of the Everett brothers, and has always felt like no one really cared what he did. He was the only brother to go to college, and his brother always assumed he went to get away. That’s what there farther made them believe. But Brady always wanted more for the farm and their land but no one ever saw it. But when Brady sets eyes on Amanda Kittredge, his best friends little sister, he is surprises to see how much she grew up. And somehow Amanda seems to be the only one who really sees Brady.

Since I loved the previous two books in this series, I definitely expected to love this book too. But what I didn’t expect was the fact that this book was definitely my favorite of the three. From the moment I started reading I simple loved Brady and Amanda. I loved Brady because he just really was this great misunderstood guy. He really had a lot of hurt inside of him because of his dad, and I loved how Amanda saw that for what it was.

Although Amanda is almost ten years younger than Brady, she had a thing for him for a very long time. But Brady just didn’t see her. She was always just his best friends baby sister. But now he finally seems to see her for more, and Amanda is determined to make him notice her even more. So she asks him a big question. And I loved it. And let me tell you.. Amanda is an awesome character! She is one bad ass woman. Growing up between four brothers she had to be tough, and she sure is.

The romance between Brady and Amanda was very good. I could feel their attraction for one another flying of the pages. And I enjoyed the fact that there were some hot and steamy scenes, but nothing to graphic. The author gave us the opportunity to use a little more of our imagination, and I really enjoyed that.

‘The Last Real Cowboy’ was a great read and I loved every minute of it. This book also made me really curious about Amanda’s four brothers. Hopefully there will be another series about them. Sign me up!!

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for a romance that will make you sigh in all of the right places then look no further than THE LAST COWBOY by Caitlin Crews.

Amanda Kittredge is determined to be more independent and the first step is moving out of the family home and finding herself a love life. While she has always had a crush on her brother's best friend, Brady, she knows that it is unlikely that he would ever look in her direction. Unless she gives him something to notice ...
Brady Everett is equally determined to leave his hometown behind him as soon as possible but when he finds himself working at the family homestead, things begin to get even more complicated when his best friend's little sister starts showing her interest. It wouldn't be a problem except Brady cannot help but notice how much she has grown up and what an enticing, clever woman she has become. But this is just a pitstop for him and he will have to walk away soon, won't he?

A lovely story of growing up, going after what you want, and taking chances, THE LAST COWBOY by Caitlin Crews is enjoyable from start to finish. The setting worked really well and I enjoyed getting to know Amanda and Brady, and their extended families along the way. If you enjoy cowboy romances then this is definitely one for you.

Was this review helpful?

"The Last Real Cowboy" (Cold River Ranch Book 3) by Caitlin Crews is a great read. I enjoyed Brady and Amanda's story. This is the first book in this series that I've read and I just added the first two to my wishlist. This story is packed with hot cowboys, family, small-town life, drama, passion, romance, humor, and more. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, cowboys, family, and series.

Was this review helpful?

Gifted read by Netgalley. This is my honest opinion and review.
The Everett boys did not have a happy loving father raise them, they did not have a father figure to look up to and teach them how to be men. What Amos Everett taught his boys was to question true love, distrust love and if they deserved it, fight and bicker between themselves because he pushed them at each other. Amos Everett was a poor example of a human being, even more so as a father! Because of his hatred and abuse or in Brady's story neglect each Everett boy had to overcome their childhood lessons and learn to heal and love. That's where you get the female leads that are strong and stubborn enough to fight for love and never give up on these men. Grey, Ty and Brady Everett, 3 brothers, three completely different interests, but they all have the family ranch that like it nor not is embedded in each one although in different ways. Each one have their own story, their own fight to overcome the ghost of an abusive father and become amazing, beautiful hot cowboys! Brady and Amanda are great characters in a really sweet, light heat romance! This is an awesome cowboy, family oriented story. Read in order because the stories and characters continue.
3.75 really good story concept, characters and execution stars!

Was this review helpful?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Last Real Cowboy, by Caitlin Crews, will be available at booksellers on 1-28-20. Last is indeed the last of the Everett brothers part in the Cold River Series. Book 3 closes out with brother Brady, the youngest and possibly my favorite. This family put the dis in dysfunctional, so messed up. Their mother ran off after Brady was born, their father was a mean drunk, and all 3 brothers were warped emotionally.

Brady Everett was the son ignored, now marginalized by his older siblings. He's his own man when in Denver but back home on the ranch he's almost mute. Takes everything said and done and bottles it up. When it blows it's spectacular. He has a long, hard time wrestling with his demons. Dad did a class A job on his mind and self-esteem. He beats himself and feels guilty for most of the book. It's a relief when he finally loosens up. I like him but geeze, it took a long time to turn him around.

Amanda Kittredge is the youngest and only girl in her family. Her brothers have intimidated every boy who dared to come around, and there weren't that many. She's always treated like a child and is tired of it. She's determined to break out and live like normal young women do. She's had a thing for Brady for as long as she can remember, & intends to do something about it. She's not that complicated or hard to understand. As the youngest myself, I can empathize with her dilemma. She drags Brady, kicking & screaming, into the future.

The Kittredge brothers saga will start with the next Cold River Ranch book. I'm looking forward to seeing these guys get knocked on their backsides by love.

#CaitlinCrews #Netgalley #StMartin'sPaperbacks #ColdRiverRanch #TheLastRealCowboy

Was this review helpful?

This is the 3rd book in the Cold River Ranch series and I would absolutely read the previous books before reading this one so that you don't get confused about some of the relationships between the characters. In this one we get Brady and Amanda's story. Amanda is finally moving out on her and asserting her independence from her brothers. Her older brother's want to keep her sheltered but she is ready have a more fulfilling life. Brady is home to help his brother's with the homestead. This was in no way his plan but he is there doing it. And now his best friend's little sister is coming at him and tempting him in ways he shouldn't be tempted.

I can't say that I loved this one. It was good but it wasn't my favorite of the series. Amanda may be 22 in this book but she seems extremely immature even for someone who was sheltered the way she was. And Brady got on my nerves with his harping about their age difference. Which I could see if she under 18 but she was old enough to make her own decisions and to know what she wants. On a whole it isn't a bad read. The writing was good, the story itself was good, there were just little things that annoyed me which is why I dropped it down.

Was this review helpful?

I am so loving the influx of cowboy stories around at the moment, this is a really good storyline and the characters are likeable and have really good chemistry, the author is new to me and I look forward to reading more from her.

I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

The Last Real Cowboy was highly anticipated and it delivered in a BIG way. Brady Everett is the youngest of theEverett siblings and has been the butt end of his brother’s teasing all his life and broke away as soon as he could. Now he’s back and fulfilling his obligation of working the ranch for a year and he hopes he can convince his brothers to see things his way and sell. What he didn’t expect was to see his best friend’s little sister not so little anymore.

Amanda Kittredge was a complex character and needed to break out of a mold and start to do things her way. With four older brothers who only see her as their baby sister, she moved out, got a job at a seedy bar, and caused one big ruckus. Now she wants to do one last thing and she needs a certain someone to help her with it. She’s secretly had a crush on her brother’s friend, Brady Everett, and hopes he is willing to teach her how to attract a man. The deal of friends with benefits works for a while but then things turn sideways. Sideways doesn’t completely describe how she fell in love with Brady over the month they were together but somehow, she did and that was against their agreement. She just needs to show him that what they have is for a lifetime and their age difference doesn’t matter to her.

I love a story that I can sink my teeth into this one was a feast. Both hero and heroine were fighting preconceptions about themselves and it took some time for both to get their own families and each other, to see them for more than just the baby of the family. The author gave equal attention to developing both Brady and Amanda and didn’t skimp on details as it took the whole course of the book. I’m in awe of the author’s writing talent because she layered it gently and in doses. She took the last Everett sibling and made it all about all the brothers, and how their past drove their present life and how they each had to come to terms with their father and move beyond. A highlight of the story was how Brady took care of the kitchen table. It showed how much he wanted to change and move forward. Brady realized how much Amanda meant to him and how he was going to make it right for both of them to have their happy ending.

The Last Real Cowboy was my favorite in the series and completely blew me away with the detail she gave to each of the main characters. She explored their feelings and let the story gradually unfold one layer at a time. I’m all in with Caitlin Crews and look forward to more stories.

Was this review helpful?

I liked the story over all it was cute but I felt like both Amanda and Brady whined a lot yet both wanted to be seen as adults. Eventually Amanda grew some balls and was a total spit fire no one wanted to mess with. Brady’s family could describe every dysfunctional family out there perfectly. They all are healing and looking to find where they fit after their dad died and there was no love loss there. I think both Amanda and Brady’s brothers could be one in the same all protective and a pain in the read end. The sexual tension though out was not lacking at all, there is sex in this book so may not be suitable for all readers. Cute story over all but does also seem to drag here and there.

Was this review helpful?

I’m not having an easy time with writing this review, as I keep going back and forth with my feelings toward it. Having not read the first 2 book in this series I feel has left me at a disadvantage.

Amanda has been ultra aware of Brady for many years, unfortunately he doesn’t notice her more than just his friends’ little sister. When she decides it time to move off the ranch and be on her own, she doesn’t think her family will accept it but she finds support in a surprising place.

Brady agrees to keep an eye on Amanda for her brothers, but finds himself having thoughts about her instead. Not committed to staying around much longer, he doesn’t know why his thoughts are choosing now to run amok.

Amanda and Brady, along with their interesting families, have a long history with more bumps and turns that a new relationship encounters. Can they make it work?

As I said already, I feel like not reading the other books first had me at a disadvantage for character development and history between the families. It just didn’t flow well for me as a reader and I did take an extra long time finishing this book. I really didn’t connect with Amanda or Brady so that didn’t help the pleasure either.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations, all opinions expressed are my own. 3 3/4 stars.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

Another winner from Caitlin Crews. This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but by 25% in it picked up steam and I didn’t want to put it down. And, to be fair, the set up in the beginning was needed and more likely than not very intentional by the author.

Amanda has a problem that many people have, whether they are from a small town or not. She was looked at as one thing, and one thing only. In her case it was a little girl. But you know the drill…the smart one, the impetuous one, the serious one, the young one. Her burden was being looked at as a girl instead of a woman. Not just by her family, but also by the whole community.

While it doesn’t seem to be as much of a cut and dry label, Brady is somewhat looked as the one who leaves. The college boy, city slicker…neither said as a good thing by the people who say as much. Instead of getting to know Brady for who he is, his brothers assume they know all there is to know about him. Most of which is information from when he was 18 and younger, before he left for college. Or, information they got from their no-good father.

Once the connection is finally made between Amanda and Brady, I love how their relationship progresses. Mostly for Brady because, although he’s the older of the two, his emotional IQ isn’t quite the same as his age. It’s almost like he’s a sullen teenager finding his first love, and it’s really cute. But, since he’s an experienced man, it’s also extremely sexy.

This was a lot of fun with enough emotion to keep my heart fluttering. On top of the great story, Amanda’s family (the Kittredges) is introduced a bit more fully in this book so I believe the author plans to expand and continue this series. Which makes me a very happy reader.

Was this review helpful?

Good book. Has definitely some good “bones” In it. But just didn’t feel awestruck with it. Good romance but dragged on. Possibly would read another book from this author as others have said previous books have been amazing.

Was this review helpful?

The Last Real Cowboy is the third book in the contemporary western romance series Cold River Ranch by Caitlin Crews. Why have I not read any books by this author until now?! What is wrong with me?! I absolutely looooooooved this book! If you haven't read the first two, this one stands alone. And apparently we've missed out on some freaking great books by starting with book three.

Amanda Kittredge is the 22-year-old sister of four older and very protective brothers. She's always been the good girl, the "little sister", and she's tired of it. When her secret crush Brady Everett, her brother Riley's best friend, thinks she's still just a kid, it's the straw that broke the camel's back. She moves out of the family home, gets her own place and a part-time job at the seediest bar in town. Riley asks Brady to look out for Amanda. When Brady sees her working in the bar wearing a tank top and tight jeans, it hits him like a ton of bricks...she is all woman. Wanting to really experience life, she begs Brady to teach her all about sex. He knows this can't possibly be a good idea, but he can't resist...

The romance here is very intense, hot, sweet and life altering. It's the family dynamics, however, that truly drew me in. Brady has two older brothers and all were raised by an abusive father. Their mother stuck around until she had Brady, then disappeared from his life. Brady won a full scholarship to go to college in Denver. His father's reaction? Derision and laughter. He lived and worked in Denver, but came back home after his father died. He agreed to work at the family ranch for a year, then the brothers would decide the fate of the ranch. He couldn't seem to earn the respect of his brothers for his innovative ideas for the ranch. Then there was Amanda's family. Her brothers just couldn't wrap their minds around the idea that she was a grown, independent woman. When things seem to be falling apart for Amanda and Brady, it's Amanda who takes on both families to set them straight about their treatment of Brady. Though I loved both main characters, it's Amanda who really brought the story to life. I laughed, snickered and cried over their relationship. I will definitely be reading more from this talented author.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews is Brady Everett’s story. This is a steamy story of a take charge cowboy with a younger woman. Brady Everett’s way of doing things may not be for everyone. Brady’s childhood has left him with many relationship problems so it is not surprising that he behaves as he does; wishing to always be in control.

This may not be my favorite of this series especially since Amanda Kittredge behaves more like a teenager at times instead of the woman she should and could be. I simply prefer more adult decision making and behavior from my main characters. There is emotional denial that goes side by side with emotional intensity in this story. However, Brady Everett is the last real cowboy for Amanda Kittredge.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from St Martin Press/NetGalley. This review is based solely on my own option. It can be read as a stand alone but I have read the previous books in the series. Brady is a strong character who has agreed to stay at the family ranch for one year after dad dies. It doesn’t hold happy memories so he’s just waiting until his time passes by. He wants to go back to the life he built without any support from his father. Amanda is completely opposite she loves the land and her home. She never wants to leave this town but wants to put some distance to start a life of her own away from her overbearing brothers. She’s tired of being looked at as a permanent child even though she is twenty two. She decides to take matters into her own hand and go for broke. Doing things to prove she isn’t a child anymore including taking on Brady who was asked to watch over her by her older brother. She has crushed on him since she was a little girl. This takes on some interesting turn of events as you can imagine. I really either book and I glad I was given the advance chance to read it though I would of bought it anyway.

Was this review helpful?

Brother’s Best Friend + Coming Home Again = Satisfying Ending for the Everett Men

Brady, the baby of the Everett men, wants his brothers to take him seriously and see that he’s always valued home and land. Amanda, the baby of the Kittridge family and the only girl, wants to be seen as an adult capable of making her own life choices....and maybe finally get her older brother’s best friend to notice her.

I love a good older sibling’s bestie story and a good age gap story, so Brady and Amanda worked well for me; there was even a touch of grump meets sunshine in there too! I especially loved the last third of the book when both of them came into their own and stood up for themselves and each other. The final chapter was a nice wrap-up but with a enough vagueness to allow for more stories in the Cold River world, like maybe Riley and Rae’s second chance or Kat’s HEA 🤞🏻🤞🏻

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was a good romance. I really loved the character of Brady and the way the author defined him. Amanda seemed a little immature, but her brothers had always sheltered her so it was to be expected. Can they overcome forbidden love?
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?